KWS Kellie

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Bornholm', 'CDC Austenson' and 'Conestogo'

Summary: At the 5 to 9 tiller stage, ‘KWS Kellie' has a semi-erect to intermediate growth habit whereas ‘Bornholm' has an erect to semi-erect growth habit and ‘CDC Austenson' and ‘Conestogo' have an erect growth habit. The plants of ‘KWS Kellie' head later than the plants of ‘Bornholm' and ‘Conestogo'. At the end of anthesis, the spike of ‘KWS Kellie' has an erect to semi-erect attitude whereas the spike of ‘Conestogo' has a horizontal to semi-nodding attitude. The sterile spikelet of KWS Kellie' has a rudimentary development whereas those of the reference varieties are fully developed.

Description:

YOUNG PLANT: semi-erect to intermediate growth habit at tillering, absent or very sparse pubescence on lower leaf sheaths
PLANT: two row, spring barley

FLAG LEAF: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on auricles

SPIKE: emerges mid to late season, weak to medium glaucosity at end of anthesis, erect to semi-erect attitude, cup shaped collar, lax to medium density
STERILE SPIKELET: rudimentary development
LEMMA AWNS: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of tips, longer than spike

KERNEL: short rachilla hairs, husk present, hairless ventral furrow

Origin & Breeding History: ‘KWS Kellie' (experimental designations SC18-04RB and KWS15/3716) was developed using a doubled haploid technique. In 2013, the initial cross was conducted between ‘Shada' and ‘RGT Planet' with a subsequent backcross to ‘RGT Planet' conducted at KWS Lochow GMbH in Bergen, Lower Saxony, Germany. From the F1 generation, double haploids were produced in Bergen, Germany. From 2014 to 2015, the variety was advanced from the DH1 to the DH2 generation based on yield potential, disease resistance, agronomic performance, standability and quality characters, such as specific weight, thousand grain weight, and malting quality with one line designated as KWS15/3716. Breeder seed was established from the DH2 line in 2016.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for ‘KWS Kellie' were conducted in Oak Bluff, Manitoba during the 2021 and 2023 growing seasons. There were 4 replicates per variety arranged in an RCB design. Each plot was 3.25 square metres and consisted of four 4.5 m long rows spaced 0.18 m apart. The seeding density was 307 seeds per metre squared resulting in approximately 4000 plants per variety per year. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison table for 'KWS Kellie' with reference varieties 'Bornholm', 'CDC Austenson' and 'Conestogo'

Time of spike emergence (number of days from planting to when the first spikelet is visible on 50% of the spikes)

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Barley: ‘KWS Kellie' (left) with reference varieties ‘Bornholm' (centre left), ‘CDC Austenson' (centre right) and ‘Conestogo' (right)

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Barley: ‘KWS Kellie' (left) with reference varieties ‘Bornholm' (centre left), ‘CDC Austenson' (centre right) and ‘Conestogo' (right)